Covey Habit 4 Analysis

In order to keep family above all and on track, Habit 4, Think “Win-Win”, Habit 5, Seek First to Understand, then to be understood, and 6, Synergize, all are highly interwoven. Covey explains these three habits as an equivalent to a root, a route, and the fruit. Habit 4 is the root, the foundation that helps families start to seek mutual gains, rather than mere individual successes. It is the root from which Habit 5 and Habit 6 blossoms from. Habit 5 is the route, the ability to tap into self-awareness, choosing to step out of an individual perspective and delve into the head and heart of another family member to see and take their perspective instead. It is taking the time to invest in the thoughts, emotions, and opinions of other family members, …show more content…
Habit 1 emphasizes being proactive with change. Change starts within myself. I can do my part to control the outcome. Covey gave the example of thinking first rather than reacting. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” I have seen this verse come to life and prove to be true many times. When my parents have told me “no” or given me instructions that I didn’t like, each time I thought before I responded, and chose to react respectfully with a gentle answer, there was no wrath and no argument. However, the times that I did not think and just reacted back to them disrespectfully, they became angry. I then would get a consequence and an argument would more than likely be the result. My dad is the most admirable and devoted man of God I know, but he has a quick temper. I have responded irrationally to him with disrespect and he has yelled at me as a result. We have gotten in severe fights because of my tongue. Yet, I am learning to respond Christ-like and with respect, and the fights have grown less and less throughout the past few years. Choosing to make the change from responding disrespectfully to thinking before I respond and choosing a gentle answer has changed the result to less arguments and fights. The advice and …show more content…
As the Miracle of the Chinese Bamboo Tree advises, the growth and destination of the family is a process. The changes are often unseen for a while, but they are under the surface and they are present. In no time, the changes blossom before the family’s eyes and the change is crystal clear. Turbulence hits, winds will blow and the family may wander off course, but it is still flying and closer to the destination than